Variety (May 1949)

18 BADIO BEVIEWS >OU AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT d. C. DATELINE ll'lth Dwif ht Cooke, host; Dr. T. V. i with Hazel Kenyon Market Smith, fuest I Pn^ucer: Edwin Halburt f roducer: Leon Levine j Writer: Elien Wadleigh 5 Mins.; Mon.-thni-Frl., 6:15 p.m. Announcer: Lee Vickers Sustaining 15 Mins., Sun., 12:15 p.m. CBS, from New York ■ Sustaining How a man may build his mind | WTOP, Wash. vas tackled Monday (9) by CBS in g new cross-the-board series tagged ••You and Self-Improvement.” For the Inaugural airer host Dwight Cooke had Dr. T. V. Smith, profes- sor of philosophy, poetry and po- litics at the University of Syracuse, as his guest. Informal discussion proved interesting, but Dr. Smith’s suggestions for “cultural self-im- J irovement” will hardly come as resh advice to a person of average intelligence. In an easy, conversational style, Dr. Smith tossed off such keimels of advice as “until a man is ready to take himself for better or worse, he’s not ready for self-improve- tnent.” To drive home a point that one should not imitate others he Vrged listeners to “start where you are honestly.. be magnanimous about other people.” On the whole. Dr. Smith, with an assist from Cooke, made a game try to lead the public on the “road to culture” de- spite a scant 12 minutes allotted to him. Subsequent sessions will take up such topics as “How to Make the Most of Yourself Soci- ally,” etc. Gilb. MICHAEL SHAYNE, PRIVATE DETECTIVE fVith Jeff Chandler fVliter: Larry Marcus g roducer: Broadcasters Guild irector: Bill Rousseau SO Mins.; Sat., 5 p.m. Sustaining WOR, N. Y. Transcribed in Hollywood, •'Michael Shayne, Private Detec- tive” followed the traditional who- dunit format in making its bow as a sustainer over WOR, N, Y. Saturday (7). Plot was an obvious one while the acting was fair. This half-hour meller, however, will likely appeal to those late Saturday afternoon listeners who seek a change of pace from a diet pf quizzers and prattling di.sk jockeys. Written by Larry Marcus, the script was a chronological account of how detective Shayne was framed by a “grey eyed blonde” and his subsequent solution of the problem. Jeff Chandler is pass- able in the title role. Supporting players were adequate. Gilb. NEWS WRITERS QUIZ With John Gonella, Guests SO Mins., Sat., 7:15 p.m. Sustaining WPTR, Albany Opinion periods, merged with a quiz, take this program out of a grooved format. Two five-minute blocks are reserved for a di.scus- aion of current national and inter- national questions, by Albany, Troy tional compul.sory health insurance THE PLAZA and the shelling of a British ship i f”"** Wiiiarde In the Chinese war were the topics ' Dick Smith This highly rated public service airer returned last week after a two-month hiatus during program- ming reorganization of the station. Now in its second year, the inter- view program rates attention as a pre.stige effort of the town’s 50.000-watter. “D. C. Dateline” is the brain- child of WTOP program director Hazel Markel, who remains as in- terviewer of celebs featured on airer despite her executive job. Spot is in great demand by groups of all kinds as a springboard for publicizing their work. Applicants are carefully screened, with time given only to topnotch philan- thropic, welfare, educational, social service groups and the like. Effort is made to highlight a cur- rent “cause.” Format of show makes it far more palatable than most of its type. Though a local effort, na- tional flavor of town and of guests interviewed, make it a suitable candidate for web airing. Standard pattern followed in- cludes introduction by announcer Lee Vickers against a musical fan- fare, backgrounding by Mrs. Markel. and a two-part Interview, first of the organization’s rep and then of the gue.st, generally a top government official, who makes a pitch for the work of the group. Carefully scripted and recorded in advance, presentation is invari- ably smooth and surprisingly dra- matic. Though lacking, spon- taneity, effect Is informal and in- teresting. Recent programs include a Com- munity Chest report, with Mrs, Harold Burton, wife of the Supreme Court Justice guesting along w'ith Chest’s local head; Mrs. Max Truitt, daughter of the veepee, Mrs. India Edwards, head of the Women’s Democratic Na- tional Committee and Mrs. Charles Brannan, wife of the Secretary of Agriculture, on a roundup of femme activities at the Inaugura- tion; Eric Johnston on an Ameri- can Brotherhood Week program; and chantoosey Pearl Bailey mak- ing a Christmas Seal pitch. Though accent is on government brass, show biz is used whenever possible, as in the case of Ingrid Bergman, who did a Children’s Theatre stint. Already recorded is next week’s U. S. Bond Drive program, with Treasury Secretary .Tohn Snyder p.a.’ing. Interview chores are ably han- dled by Mrs. Markel, whose per- sonal popularity here helps snare many of the celebs • who appear ' with her. It is all very high class and dig- nified. but skillfully avoids being stuffy, and strikes a weekly blow for station prestige. Lowe. AIR FORCE HOUR With Li Col. George t. Howard, M. Sgt Glenn Darwin, Warrant Officer Robert Landers; Lt. Casa Bielski, announcer Writer: Capt. Don Meranda Producer - Director: Capt. Bob Keim 30 Mins.; Thurs., 8 p.m. Sustaining WMGM, N. Y. Using a musical format, and em- ploying the talents of U. S. Arny Air Force personnel, this show comes off as moderately entertain- ing half-hour. Broadcast origi- SING FOR YOUR SUPPER With Tommy Tucker Orch, Nanej Donovan, Ray Charles Quartet, Tommy Mahoney; Phil Tonkin, announcer Producer: Dick Rubin Director: Newt Stammer 30 Mins.; Thurs. (5), 9:30 p.m. Sustaining Mutual, from New York Preem of “Sing for Your Sup- per” was a moderately funny audi- ence participation show which could be developed with better production and smarter routines. Format calls for four contestants from the audience to sing familiar . . ¥» iij A 1 r> ' tunes, the hitch being that they nates from Bolling Air Force Base, j i^just perform a wacky stunt at the Washington, D. C., and is carried; same time. Thus a model had to throughout the country by Mutual ] chirp “Bicycle Built for Two” excep^ for the weturive .Irlng in Se.”*whiFe*wadI had more visual than audio ap- peal, although a salesman doing New York over WMGM. Program, which features a 70- piece Air Forccj^orch, under the baton of Lt. Col^eorge S. Howard, presented (on airer heard) six numbers—“Who,” “Jazz Legato,” “American Patrol,” “Travel Light,” “Summer Time” and “How Blue the Night.” The arrangements weren't too exciting. Warrant Of- ficer Robert Lander offered some good baritoning in his rendition of the folksy “Travel Light,” and an all-male glee club of “Singing Ser- geants” was used effectively. Interjected into the broadcast was an interesting five-minute documentary, recorded in Berlin by Capt. Maxwell Marvin, discuss- ing the reaction of the German people to the reported terminating of the Berlin blockade. Show’s weakest moment was a saccharine tribute to Mother’s Day in the form of a recorded interview with the mother of an Air Force student. SATURDAY DATE With Dick Smith Pr^ucer: Phil Clifton 60 Mins., Sat., 11 a.m. PM & B DEPT. STORE School Days” as a five-year-old might, was good comedy. Musical interludes provided by Tommy Tucker orch, Nancy Dono- van and the Ray Charles Quartet packed more entertainment value. Tucker handled the emcee chores well, but Tommy Mahoney as his wisecracking stooge fell flat with some corny ad libs. Bril. BRUSH CREEK FOLLIES With Hiram Highby, Colorado Pete, Tiny Tillman, Sunny Daye, Jed Starkey, Millie & Sue, Eddie Edwards, Lazy River Boys (3), Rhythm Riders (4), Tune Chasers (4), Harry Jenks: Paul Taylor, announcer Producer-Director: Edwards 30 Mins. Sat., 9 p.m. RICHMADE MARGERINE; RO- • DEO HAMS Sc BACON KMBC, Kansas City One of the top western and hill- billy sessions on the air, “Brush Creek Follies” high gear in its 12th season on KMBC and the KMBC affiliate, KFRM, in north central Kansas VeJneaJay, May 11, I949 Levine, MEET TOUR MATCH With Tom Moore, others Writers-Producers: Sam Bob Monroe 30 Mins.; Thurs., 9 p.m. Sustaining WOR-Mutual, N. Y. Another audience participation, er, “Meet Your Match.” hit airlanes over the Mutual network Thursday 15) in the 9 p.m slot Entertainingly moderated by Tom Moore, Chi emcee, it bring.s to the platform a number of contestants who compete for an assortment of giveaways and a multiple Jackooi at the end of the stanza. ‘ Participants are pitted iagainst each other, two at a time, in an- swering questions by Moore, who peps things up with flavorsome comedy to sustain interest. Lucky contestant is gifted and remains to compete with another of his own choice and so on until the climax when the last successful quizee is subjected to the jackpot payoff question by a masked character called “The Brain.” Plenty of nifty gifts were passed out on the individual answers but the finalist w'as stumped by “The Brain.” Had he answered he would have been awarded a multiplicity of gifts ranging from complete summer wardrobe to summer and winter vacations, among other things. Jackpot is added to weekly when unanswered, giving next w'eek’s contestants a chance for a greater amount of loot. Moore keeps program moving at a zingy pace and although in as a sustainer, should have little trou- ble of latching on to a tab lifter. Edha. WMTW, Portland, Me. Weewatter has come up with a 1 - — " ”■ that es -1 origination, ’Tollies” originates as a visual show before a paid house at the 1,100-seat Ivanhoe Temple, playing to near-capacity every week at 61c per head. A few faces are changed, some sponsors are new, but otherwise “Follies” holds to its traditional quota of com. In seasons past, the “Follies” has taken a summer hiatus, but with new sponsors just signed, prob- ability is that it will move to an air-conditioned hall and continue. Follies” always has been the ata- FULFILL YOUR URGE With Dee Carlstrom; A1 Parker, announcer Producer-Director: Bill O'Brien 15 Mins., Mon.-thru-Fii., 11 a.m. .win*, .!.n* ; CANADIAN ACE Aim of this program is to grant the wishes of radio listeners who write the best reasons for their re- As has been the practice since its Ii^lcrvlewer Dee weekly teenster session chews gushiness and condescension for sock entertainment values equally listenable by high school kids and their elders. Tasteful and alert emceeing by Dick Smith, station’s disk jockey, builds infec- tious enthusiasm among youngstep participating, who long ago over- ran, studio space and now must be accommodated in a hotel ball- room. Fact that Smith has been i tion’s chief showcase for the bfg aired on the latest block heard. Exchanges on both were provoca- tive though inconclusive. John Gonella, a Scotchman who able to attract as many boys and girls to the sessions may be assign- ed to non-flossiness of approach. “Saturday Date” is no mere cute handle. Each week a boy or girl is elected by a panel from his or her high school to assume that role for the upcoming program. De- partment store sponsor thereupon togs out the kid n'om its teen shop for modelling on the show. To roster of talent from its artists bu- reau, and continues on the air whether the visuai session holds or not. This season “Follies” has Eddie Edwards, a veteran of the ca.st and bureau, at the production helm. His air show is all that the “Fol- lies” should be. Hiram Higsby is an old hand at the m.c. assignment. Carlstrom acts as present-day fairy princess by seeking, and getting, some action on the reque.sts. Peti- tioners appear in person on the program. Show caught had a mother ap- pealing for an apartment, so she could get her family out of an un- desirable neighborhood. Next participant, also a housewife, thanked Miss Carlstrom for a tele- vision set given to her bedridden son. Urges wound up with Miss Carlstrom, a recent sick patent her- self, spinning a platter. “Thanks for the Memories,” to her well- wi.shers. Sponsor’s rhyming jingle started and closed program. Tied in with tune were tw'o pleasantly-delivered verbal plugs for the sponsor prod- uct. “Urge” is a heart-warming little show that will appeal to the house- wife. As a shortrange commercial, it is unlikely to strike a beer-drink- and handles in masterly fashion. 1 **'1? audience at this time of day. keen "Date”*in forefront Smith P® writing is 1 However, program is beamed at a keep .Date In forefront, Smith | involved, ad lib being the general! long-range, goodwill show designed 30 Mins., Mon. thru Fri., 10:30 a.m. Participating WIIB. Kansas City I A morning participation show of ! uses the selected teenster as co- emcee throughout. Contest to select best potential radio anouncer from audience is built around ad libbed tries at de- scribing the “Date’s” donated ap- practice. Talent roster includes names known to listeners for several years. All have been on the show a couple of years, and some, such to build up sponsor prestige, and in this respect. It hits the mark squarely. Mart. served as an officer in the British ' 59 P® has long been a possi- Army and who miked for BBC,' kL' ^ •ts as quizmaster and moderator. ' ac He prepares the queries himself., Club Plaza merchants, and fthow being tape-recorded. Panel ® sponsors. This one is i varies, Walt Mordaunt. staff writer ' a remote, being staged i for the Albanv Times-llninn »nft Plaza cafeteria recently lack Dunms ^^f tlTe Interstate Sears Gaz..t,e, bein* two frequenUy I 1. *11 -At t 1 ... parel, thus neatly and amusingly ' J Starkey getting around the visual hurdle, i If Other quiz angles are built around i 'V, ‘ nHpVnntlxl* current record releases, with al- I while Starkey s bums as prizes. Bop and jive gen-! comedy, erally are subordinated to more I lyhitp hn**a Washington melodic show tunes,_ with spinning i BALLARD’S BAZAAR With Sam Gifford. Bill Pickett. Marian Ellia, Easy Threesome; Ken Meeker, announcer Producer-Writer: William Loader Director: Wm. O. Aldridge 30 Mins., Tues.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. of the bill, with balance split be- tween baker, bottler and launder- luoadcasters. All participating are well backgrounded. One section ‘"I'rooTim i E»''h fools th, bill for a sin*lo ^ which hfis life, li^ht* day but thert^'R nlpniv i\f mczniinn ness and color due to the sure JaJh day fo7each sensor guidance of Gonella and the re-j Show^combines severaralreadv- i P.> ®ven giveaway stunts and parti- primar- -t I.. _ , A A ' ^ aiUIllA dn •bl.\ appeals most to upper-level I cipation formulas. It aims ciiuJers. — I. . .. Jaco. ily for the femmes as participants KOITTHWF«5TPnv cwfv/-c'rE-Dc hsteners. and therefore most j xiJuu A o SWINGSTERS of the stunts are for them. Two Wl^ Amiie Schafer, Willie Welles; .station staff men work together on ' IS ,« ■ ^0“ Kemper hondlin* n\sh ** *"’ ^he m e. chores and Frank UKV S2*a I " aiding. Kemper serves as i "tmc ^*‘*f*'®*"* City “Keeper of the Crazy Hats,” which ■ This a straight, neatly-packaged is the highlight of the show with I musical show that’ll appeal to femmes decking themselverout in ' dialers wbo like their tunes brewed all kinds of outlandish skvpieces in a cider jug. Southwestern There is a daily prize for this stunt ^wlngsters comprise a good in.stru- with the winner getting a chance at mental combo, plus two warblers the Plaza jackpot, a sizeable offer- yho handle the numbers in tradi-jing of loot. | tional tw-angy style. Except for a j. Kemper and Wiziarde make a couple of medium-sized and mod- good pair on the mikes, getting a erately-phiased plugs, there’s no lot of enthusiasm across to both excess verbiage to cut into the crowd and li.steners. Theirs is a mimical portion. job of adlibbing, except for the On a recent show, program in- commercials, and they have kept eluded several snappy orch offer- the pace lively thus far Dick ' InKs. well-accented with hillbilly Smith, station program ’director fiddling and iikclcing. There had a hand in origination of the’ were also a couple of "change your show, and .still keeps his hand in pardner” dance tunes, with Willie for smooth running. Mostly it is Welles delivering a neat oat- left to Kemper and Wiziarde. and speckled .song. Annie Schaefer, it is principally their show. Show with a good set of pipes, rendered is capably staged and is in high • song titled "I Love You So Much gear after six weeks of operation' It Hurt, M«.” i Quin. J ^ I BALLARD & BALLARD CO. of Dimh *shori»’« “WnnHprfi'ii r'liv’* i Tillman is Coming along as I WHAS, Loui.sville tVDicaUv ‘sending 'vm at session ' singer; Sunny Daye handles ! , I* irjft audience participation show ^ sending em at 8e.ssion .singing on; I® utilize the new WHAS studios ’ the bill, and Millie St Sue round I® ® K®®^ start. It offers out the vocal department as cow--'addition to interviews with the girl singers and yodelers KMBC I^ousefraus. musical interludes by always has been noted for its small i Three.some. ear pleasing musical groups, and the Tune I***® eomprlsing Hammond organ, Chasers. Rhythm Riders and Lazy accordion and guitar. This gives River Boys are easily ud to oar i ® tuneful life to the proceeding.s, and breaks up the sameness of one ^ * interview following another. Smith somehow manages to bring practically every kid in the audience before the mike. And he never forgets to ask a wide sampling what subjects they are taking at school, what educational plans they have for the future, etc., with humorously sympathetic comments ensuing. The sponsor has a bargain here. Don. ; Followup Comment j: THE AFFAIRS OF PETER SALEM Personality m.c. Sam . Gifford, Writer: Louis VKtes Producer-Director: HI Brown 30 Mins., Sat., 2:30 p. m. Sustaining Bob Hope played a straight dra- ; Mutual, from New York matic role on CBS’ “Suspense” I This new whodunit series slot With Santos Ortega. Jack Grimes ® station, paces Everett Sloane, Luis Van R^t^ en. Ann Shepard. Jean Eil^ i 9“®® repartee with the femmes. He doesn’t overlook any opportunity to mention his flour miller sponsor’s product, as does Ken Meeker, who delivers the straight commercials in authorative manner and to the point. Marian Thurs, cast as a weak, coward-* ted In the Saturday 230 pm sec-' n I ly neurotic «ho ha, had hi, wife ment on the Mutual nctviwk ?, ' ""’Inlne slant, and murdered and waits in terror for sparked by the slick performance me hired killer to turn on him. ; of Santos Ortega as the bucolic pri- The comic did a good thesping job, jvate eye. titular role in “The Affairs socking across the feeling of panic, of Peter Salem.” On teeoff stanza ' "as so unsym-:the hick dick became Involved in i * pathetic as to cause a negative re -1 running dowTi a ring of gem smug- action. Researcher Horace Schwer- ; glers who had concealed gems in in has pointed out that when a a statue of a tiger. After the mur- star takes a role which violates the i der of a double-cro.sslng pal and fans Image of Wm. he usually suf- the ii.siial perilous .situations smack- fcr.s This was the case witii Hope’s , mg of yesteryear film cliffh.angtTS field, [he caught the femme fatale and Fibber McGee and Molly recently j settled down to peace and quite did a guest shot on the same , until the next stanza ^ JcrW^whuJi^VrvPi^^f""^ H cast gave’the featured ; CaVVy‘’in"broadca^n^^ t\Di?Il f* 1 * i K®®d support in the spin- play of all Cardinal games for the ^pical couple outfoxing a criminal. I ning of the yam. which should Hope would have done better with have held the U.stfners Scrlot and a more appealinf part. < direction were al4o okay. Edbo. listeners the feminine slant, very convincingly. Tips ’em off to some simple recipes, and makes it very easy for them to include the sponsor’s flour as the basis for the Baritone Bill Picket fits in well with the musical portion of the show. There’s a ne.it writing and production by Bill Ixiader, and sharp direction by Bill Aldrige. U'ico. St. Louis Street, who Charles “Gabby” teams with Harry Grie.sedieck Bros. Brewing t’o.. un- derwent a major operation lasi week. )